Johnson Energy Storage

A Powerful Look Ahead

Beneath the well-known Corey smokestack in Atlanta, a revolutionary is transforming the future of energy storage. Johnson Energy Storage, founded by acclaimed inventor Lonnie Johnson, is pioneering advanced battery technology right in the heart of Atlanta.

Lonnie Johnson is a nuclear engineer. He worked for NASA on interplanetary spacecraft design. He was a part of the Galileo mission as a power systems engineer, worked on the Cassini mission of Saturn, and did orbit insertion analysis for the Voyager mission that

launched in 1977 and is still traveling and sending back data today. He couldn't talk about it at the time but now that it's now declassified, Johnson admits he was one of the first flight test engineers assigned to the B-2 program.

And let's not forget the Super Soaker.

Johnson, a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, is perhaps best known for inventing the Super Soaker, a toy that revolutionized the toy market.

Johnson's background - from NASA to Nerf, honored military achievements, and over 100 patents has led him here, where the magic continues. And yes, Lonnie does have a magic word - keep reading for the reveal.

"25 years ago, I did an analysis on thin-film solid-state battery technology that I'd found at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Per unit volume, this could hold about four times the energy of lithium-ion batteries, but you couldn't make a battery with that technology large enough to power a cell phone, let alone an electric vehicle, so I embarked on a mission to develop solid-state battery technology as the next generation beyond lithium-ion. The plan was developing the technology, figuring out the production, and acquiring the intellectual property. I did not anticipate that it would take 25 years, but we've arrived." - Lonnie Johnson

His achievements in space and defense technologies provide a strong foundation for his current endeavor - developing solid-state batteries that are economical to produce and manufacture. Together with his business partner and CEO Bert Ellis, Johnson aims to overcome the significant challenges associated with battery technology. Ellis, who has been involved in founding or supporting more than 30 startups, brings a wealth of experience and a relentless drive to the partnership. Both men share a deep understanding of the path forward, moving from research and development to the manufacturing stage, and excitement for whatever lies beyond that.

Lonnie and Bert also share what is clearly a genuine friendship. While their focus on the work is apparent, what makes their partnership special is the obvious camaraderie they share. "We work hard, and we have fun. We're able to talk through anything and overcome any challenges we might run into," Ellis says. Lonnie laughs in agreement, clearly remembering some of those conversations that led them to the comfort level they share today as a powerful business duo.

Batteries + Business

Johnson is still best-known for his invention of the Super Soaker, and was investing much of that success back into Johnson Energy Storage. "A good way to try and go broke," Lonnie laughs. Five years ago, Bert stepped in as CEO and started pitching the technology to investors.

"I've known Lonnie for most of those years of research, and I've been tracking his progress. I convinced him that we could accelerate everything if we raised additional capital for him. He had been funding everything with his own money. We've since raised a significant amount of additional capital, including an investment from Southern Company.

Johnson feels fortunate to have Bert in place as the CEO of the company. Bert Ellis has an impressive background himself, having launched and grown several successful companies, with a knack for investments and fast growth. Ellis' business acumen complements Johnson's ingenuity, creating a partnership that balances science and research with strategic growth.

As Johnson Energy Storage marches into the future, the company is expanding into manufacturing, armed with investors increasing their capabilities. The influx of capital allows them to purchase advanced equipment, streamline operations, and will ultimately bring their innovative batteries to market faster.

Bert continues, "Southern Company is one of our investors, and they were one of the first companies that came in. Southern views this as a valuable technology that can support their efforts with a focus on the grid as well as the EV industry. In terms of market growth, this is a mutually beneficial opportunity."

The Science - and What Comes Next

In case you're curious about the science itself (and can potentially understand it) - it goes something like this: Johnson's battery storage technology is rooted in a revolutionary approach to battery design, integrating a glass electrolyte instead of the traditional liquid electrolyte. This ensures a safer battery that significantly reduces the risk of fires caused by internal short circuits. The journey from concept to refinement has involved meticulous research and experimentation, relentlessly trying to solving a complex puzzle.

By replacing the liquid component, the batteries achieve enhanced reliability, providing the foundation to develop cells that can cycle longer and more efficiently. The focus remains on optimizing the construction process and scaling up from small applications, like powering RC cars, to more significant implementations, with the ultimate goal of achieving safe, efficient, and large-scale battery solutions. Simple, right?

"I'm excited that we've cracked the hardest nuts, in terms of the technology itself. We've mapped out a plan that will lead to a power production line. After that, whether we license the technology to existing manufacturers, or go a totally new direction, we're not sure. Because if you've got the best battery in the world, why not have the best car in the world? Who knows what the future holds? We've got an exciting technology. We've just got to get it out of the lab and refined to the point where it becomes useful on a daily basis." - Lonnie Johnson

The Future of Energy meets the Future Workforce

Johnson is renowned not only for his technological inventions, but for his exceptional mentorship and commitment to workforce development. His vision extends beyond technology - Johnson aims to create jobs and drive true economic development by producing goods within the community and bringing wealth back into it.

Johnson explains, "When I acquired this site, my objective was to put people to work and drive economic development. Dr. Ed Irons was the Dean of Business at Clark Atlanta University. He gave me my first lesson in economics. He said, 'Johnson, it's one thing to trade goods within a community and have businesses servicing each other, and quite often you end up shipping money out of the community to bring goods into the community. In that scenario, you're shipping wealth out. It's a different scenario when you can actually create a product within your community, ship that product out, and bring wealth in. That's true economic development.'"

Those wise words made an impact. Twenty-five years ago, Johnson saw potential in their site near Grady Hospital, and though the capability for manufacturing wasn't there at the time, he refused to give up. "I aimed to transform this area into a hub of productivity and opportunity, turning Dr. Irons' vision of true economic development into a reality," Johnson recalls. And that perseverance has brought his technology to the brink of market readiness.

Johnson Energy Storage is also home to an impressive STEM program area where the team mentors' kids in robotics, science, engineering, and technology, complete with an e-sports arena and virtual reality venue. They work with eight robotics teams at the high school level and others, starting from the Lego level for younger kids to the First Tech Challenge competitive level.

Johnson explains more about his love of mentoring - "I really try and get kids excited about technology. For them, as a would-be entrepreneur, I tell them that there's magic in the world, and when you're really trying to accomplish something that really seems daunting, and you feel like giving up, and you're working on something, and it's going wrong, and you're starting to feel frustrated, you have to use a little bit of magic. The kids all get excited, and they want to know what my magic word is, and then I tell them - perseverance."